Auto Meter pod over or instead of stock a-pillar (and other dumb q's)?
 

(1) The generic Auto Meter instructions say to mount over the stock a-pillar cover. I do not want to drill the stock cover. Is there any way to remove the stock cover and use the Auto Meter as a substitute cover?

(2) The generic Auto Meter gauge instructions call for the sender ground to be attached to the engine ground. Does anyone think that the internal resistance of the chassis would be such that the accuracy would be affected if I simply ground at the a-pillar?

(3) Is the answer the same for a differential temperature sender or should I go ahead and run a ground wire back to the diff also?

Thanks in advance,

Tim, the gauge pod cover is just a shell. It does not have the provisions on it's underside to attach it to the truck. You need to attach it to the stock one. In all honesty, a replacement stock pillar is dirt cheap. I'd keep your stock one on the side and just buy a new one to use for the pillar, won't matter that it needs to be painted, it will be under the Gauge Pillar.

As for the grounds, naturally the best you can do is ground to the component that the sender is attached to. But I'd be lying if I said that's what most people do. I wouldn't use the pillar though, what I usually do is run wires down the pillar and catch ground off the dash frame.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the quick response, Sal. I am going to take your advice and buy a junk a-pillar cover to use under the Auto Meter.

I am a perfectionist, so I think I'll go ahead and run the oil temp and tranny temp sender grounds to the main engine ground strap and run the diff temp sender ground back to the diff. I think I'll just drill a tiny hole in one of the fins on the pumpkin and put a machine screw there.

Thanks again.

Anytime. BTW, don't know if I ever told you, but I love your site.:thumbsup:

Tim,
I have the 3 gauge autometer a pillar. Once I removed the handle I realized that hacking away at mine was going to be a real PITA. I was thinking of getting the 99 A pillar. Then I was just playing around taking the autometer on and off a few times trying to figure out how to attach it without the previous pillar. Then it dawned on me. The bottom fit is tight. The top needed some custum trimming to fit correctly. I installed all of the gauges and wiring in 1 loom through the dash. Anyways when it came time to mount it the secret was clear silicon. The pillar almost held itself in place and only needed a little help. The secret to holding the pillar in place was a 3 foot clamp that I got at Lowes. This was months ago. It's holding up great, I would even say better than bolting. I even hit my head on the gauges a few times. Trust me, it won't budge. Hope this helps.

I highly recommend using just the pillar. Mine looks great!

I didn't use the stock piller. I just placed it in there as it was the piller. I drilled a hole for the top screw location and used a black counter sunk bolt. It looks great and is very strong. I didn't want to ruin my stock piller so I didn't use it. Also I didn't paint it. Look fine maybe I'll paint it in the future when i take out the A/F guage and replace it with a trans temp. Either way you do it I'm sure it will work great.